I would love to hear from you ...

I was recently in a group of leaders that gathered in The Rockies for some time of friendship / prayer and strategic input!  Some leading mega churches ... Some about to plant. Then this question was asked "How do define success?" I was amazed at all the answers that came out of this eclectic group of leaders and thought it would be cool to throw it out here to see what comes back ...

You can leave your comment in the comments section below or email me

tkay@redemptioncitychurch.com

I look fwd to hearing from you ...

Leave your name if you want a response ... Let's try and keep it positive

Yours in His grip

Terry Kreuger

Cool Testimony from 614 Church Plant in Columbus, Ohio

In our church planting journey, we've started by meeting in the basement of the Swart's house.  Then it got a bit full, so we moved to the living room.  Soon we'll be moving out of the house into a gym or school.  There have definitely been some mixed responses when talking about our church meeting in the house.  Our next blog is from Shelli and Ronnie ...

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David and I met at work and found ourselves in a number of meetings together.  He was new to the bank and shared that his wife and family would be moving to Columbus. Being C-bus locals, my husband and I wanted to be a part of the Swart family welcome wagon!  

During lunch one day, David mentioned that he and Kathy were starting a church- a church led out of their house.  My reaction, "You lead a church in your house?!"  I won't lie, a few thoughts came to mind - and not all of them were positive!  While I was processing this somewhat crazy notion, I was also thinking about the fact that my husband and I weren't going to church and hadn't felt 'at home' in our previous church...so I became intrigued and a little curious.

Curiosity peaked, my next step was to convince my husband that this was a good idea. Oh by the way, this is a guy who doesn't own a Bible and didn't grow up with any spiritual guidance or direction. Getting him to a traditional church had been a challenge.  His first thought was the same as mine, "a church at a HOUSE?!"  But then he went on...."and it's led by our friend and your co-worker?"..."won't that be awkward?!"..."is David going to try to convince us to drink some kool-aid and lay down together in a circle?!"  Nonetheless, I got a reluctant agreement from the hubs to attend. 

Fast forward six months and WE have joined 614 church; even attended leader training in June.  614 Church is rooted in the word AUTHENTIC.  Authentic in worship, at work, at home, and in the community.  Since joining, we have formed new friendships- and not just friendships at church. We have done hockey games, cookouts, and tough-mudder's.  Worshiping has introduced us to new music and we love seeing the kids belt out the songs along with the grown-ups.  This is participative worship focused on truly connecting with God, not just reading words from a hymnal.  

We know we have a lot to learn.  I did grow up in a faith- based home, with a grandma that knew every verse of The Bible by heart.  614 is helping me build on my basic knowledge and really think about how to align my actions and beliefs to the word of God.  I feel comfortable asking questions and know I'm getting stronger in my faith because of it. 

As for my skeptical husband, I've seen him open his mind and his heart to Jesus. He's not all the way there, but he's got a Bible app on his phone and he actually reads it, so that's good progress!  He talks about the fellowship he feels at 614, which helps him feel comfortable too.  

Hearing stories about the power of prayer, seeing the good work 614 is starting to do in the community, singing along to some really great music about our 'good, good Father'...seems pretty authentic to us. What we appreciate most is the welcome, not just from David and Kathy, but from everyone at 614. We finally feel like we're "home".

Ronnie and Shelli

614 Church Plant!!! The story so far ...

Hello from Columbus, Ohio.  Terry asked me to write down parts of our church planting story, and we’re excited to do so.

Our Church planting experience started a little different to some of the stories I have heard.  Even though for the last 10 years we have been praying about church planting, and even had a few opportunities along the way, until this point, we knew God was closing doors as he continued to prepare us for this journey.  Then early 2014 we moved from Chicago to Columbus in response to a job offer, however with a huge amount of confirmation that this was something God had prepared for us.  After 5 months of looking for a church, Kathy and I (along with her parents who had also joined us in Columbus), heard from God that it was time to start a church.  The words i got was “start small, start easy, start in your basement”.  The next week we started!  We have 4 kids, so the 8 of us met the first few weeks in the basement, and experienced an amazing time in worship, in studying the great commission, and taking the time to pray and hear from God what was on his heart for our new church.  Our kids were involved, hearing from God, through scripture, through pictures, through impressions … it was a glorious start.

Fast forward 7 months (we started November 2014), we still meet in our house, and God has added some incredible people so far.  Most who have had similar God stories in how God has been leading them to a point of wanting to see something new in Columbus.  People who join a small church plant like this seem to be pioneers, leaders, people with great conviction of what God has for them.  From time to time we have had over 60 people here, so our next step will include a bigger venue.  Our church name is 614 Church - and you may not know what this means unless you’re from this area.  614 is the columbus region’s telephone area code.  So we wanted to keep it nice and simple.

I continue to work at a local bank, and our family has settled well into Columbus life.  Our partnership with NCMI and Church in the City (Chicago) has been a life-saver.  After 2 months, Terry Kreuger spent the weekend here, in April Jody and Vanessa Romero were here, followed by Steve and Debbie Sudworth.  Along the way, so many of our friends and fellow elders from Church in the City also came, not seeking platform, but truly coming here to serve and celebrate what God has birthed here.

If you want to visit us, you’re so welcome!  Our website is www.614church.org, and we welcome your prayers.  Pray that God would use us to see many people saved here.  Pray that God would use us to display the majesty of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit through miracles, and signs and wonders!  Pray that each of us would be so effective at loving people at work, at school, in our neighborhoods and in our families!  That’s the community and culture we are believing for God to build in our church.

David and Kathy Swart

Church Planting in Pasadena, CA Part 2 - Specific Prayer Requests

This is the updated Prayer Request for the Church Plant into Pasadena CA.

Please see the previous post on the church plant for the full story ...

Please pray for us!

PEACE: It's been an incredibly intense and quick transition, which has opened us to spiritual and physical battles of anxiety, stress, and the awareness of the potentially lonely season we are heading for as we begin. Pray for angelic protection and peace, that all the practical elements would come together and that we'd be able to give attention to the spiritual elements the Lord wants us to be meditating on. Pray over our minds- that they'd be full of the realities and possibilities of heaven!
MARRIAGE: Pray for our marriage to be strengthened rather than weakened through this adventure- that the things that seem to come against us would fuel our pursuit to draw closer to each other in the presence of our King!
RELATIONSHIPS: Pray for quick and divine relationships to form when we arrive! That the season of being "on our own" would be short (and non-existent spiritually;), and that Pasadena would be soft terrain for us as we arrive and quickly connect with people. We are even praying that there'd be people who have been praying for us to come, and that SALVATIONS happen early and often and are a natural way that our family grows!
KIDS: Pray that our kids (Finn-5; Judah-3.5; Eloise-1) would not be adversely affected in any way and that the entire process would be an adventure where they can grasp the kingdom purposes that are driving this endeavor and actually CONTRIBUTE to the call of God on our family in this. Thus far they have seemed great, but we are leaving an incredible community at CITC and it may be something that gradually effects them as they realize they won't be seeing those friends again...
NCMI PARTNERSHIP: Having a team like NCMI to support and build into a local church plant is a huge blessing! Pray for close relationships to form with those the Lord wants to build into our plant!
RELATIONSHIPS AT USCWM: Pray for the relationships we are looking to make on the campus of the US Center for World Missions. We are trusting that many that are there working in full-time ministry in various areas will be able to lock-arms with us and we can serve them in many ways. Along this line, we are trusting that we can even have full access to the facilities to be able to host various meetings, events, offices, etc.
FINANCES: We're working closely in partnership with the CITC elders on issues related to finances while trusting God to provide. We have the advantage of keeping Christian's full-time job, so are trusting for provision for the cost of living difference in Pasadena, moving costs in order to relocate, and natural planting expenses as we get things off the ground.

Love to you all,

C & S

Cool Video from Freedom City Church in Tempe AZ

Love this Video from Marco Triano at Freedom City Church in Tempe, AZ!

Check it out here ... and check them out if you are in the Phoenix area!

https://youtu.be/0KD8OwKkWJU

Church Planting in Pasadena, CA

Hi NCMI family!

For those that don't know us, we are Christian & Susannah Martinsen. We are elders at Church in the City (CITC)- Chicago, and were fortunate enough to find the church and Steve & Debs Sudworth 8 years ago when we moved to Chicago from San Diego to attend Moody Bible Institute for seminary...  While seminary was an important process of our growth and preparation, it has been the experience in the local church and being apart of the NCMI family that has shaped us into who we are. For that we are eternally grateful.

Sue and I were asked to share a bit about our process and the story of the upcoming plant to Pasadena with all of you. We all know the emphasis the NCMI team has placed on church planting as it relates to the Great Commission, but Steve (Sudworth) really sparked this movement within CITC at an elders meeting we had (actually in our living room;) back in the Spring of 2013. "50 churches; 50 cities; 50 years..." We can still hear his words as we sensed something was shifting in the future of our church and the lives of those who'd been called to serve in this wonderful family.

All we can say is that as we look back to that moment, we truly see the direction the Lord is taking us is truly an extension of that declaration that had been bathed in prayer. We hadn't considered planting seriously up to that point in our lives. We didn't even consider it in that moment to be honest- it was more about what God began to do in response to the declaration of a word that was blessed by heaven. 

Up to that moment, Sue and I had already had in our hearts a unique desire to impact the nations "missionally", and yet felt this needed to be based in the local church. For instance, we thought perhaps we'd be based at CITC and be involved in missions work both here in the US and internationally into other nations. Even as the Lord started stirring for church-planting, we deeply pondered the potential of that call being an international move. The last place we'd ever consider would be the Los Angeles area (which Pasadena sits just north of). LA was the one place we'd both said we'd NEVER move, after being "close enough" in San Diego early in our marriage. We all know how those "I'll never move there" statements tend to work out...

What is so miraculous about this journey is how the Lord used my role at Moody Bible Institute (where I've worked since finishing seminary 4 years ago) to set this transition to Pasadena in action, and begin to unveil part of the reason why I had stayed "bound" to Moody for so many years even after finishing studies (something that has taken me a while to "appreciate" though always knowing God's hand upon it;). 

Moody Distance Learning (my department) was approached by the US Center for World Missions (Now called Frontier Ventures- click link for more info) to explore a partnership on their campus in Pasadena, CA. Because of my role, this was something I was tasked with exploring. Sue and I went to Pasadena in February to simply test the waters. What eventually happened was that Father God revealed that this was the place we were meant to plant- there on that campus- that was dedicated to World Missions. We had no idea that this place even existed, nor the rich history and activity currently taking place there... While we still see in part, we know the Lord is uniting something of the heart of the local church with the heart of world missions in a fresh and unique way.

There is so much more we could share about this process which we'll certainly do as the journey unfolds. We still sense that we are seeing but a glimpse of all the Lord is putting before us, but the definitive direction we know from the Lord is that the time is now, the place is Pasadena, and the mission is to plant a local church in that city that carries a burden BOTH for the local city and the nations. While we don't completely grasp the entire picture, we do have a deep sense that something of the heart of World Missions that this campus community carries is something we are meant to work out in the local church- perhaps to develop and then demonstrate in a fresh and Spirit-led way- something that often gets lost in the task of global mission endeavors.

I will continue to work full-time with Moody as we transition. The irony is that Moody's partnership on the campus is very much undetermined and may never happen, yet through this process I have been allowed to move there to essentially keep my role and work remotely regardless of Moody's future there. The financial burden that this alleviates is a wonderful blessing (though not covering all our needed costs for the transition, it puts us in a nice position;). My superiors at Moody are fully aware and supportive of our sense of calling to plant a church as the sole purpose of this move- we feel God's favor in this!

There are so many ways we'd be honored to have you partner with us in this! Please continue to follow us as we transition. We'll be moving early-mid August and will keep you all updated.

But the most urgent... Please pray for us! We will post a summery of prayer needs soon!

With more love than we can handle

Christian & Sue Martinsen

Please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to stay updated!

https://www.facebook.com/christiansmartinsen

https://www.facebook.com/susannah.e.martinsen?fref=ts

https://instagram.com/csmartinsen/

https://instagram.com/smartinsen2/

The Whole Plan of God - Part 4 Warefare vs. Blueprint

Theological Worldview: Warfare vs. Blueprint

Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International.

The Warfare Worldview, which predominated the first 1500 years of the church's history is this:  God gave authority for ruling this planet to man when He created Adam and Eve.  That authority was usurped by Satan, when man sinned.  So, Satan is now the 'ruler' of this world.  1Jn5.19 says, "The whole world lies under the sway (influence) of the wicked one."  Therefore, the world is getting worse, not better.  Sin, sickness, selfishness, war, deterioration are all characteristics of a world run by the evil one.  Into this darkness comes the light.  The Kingdom of God is now advancing in the face of opposition and evil. (Matt. 11.12).  It's with this conflict in mind, that Jesus gave us kingdom authority.  "Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  This theological worldview saw the kingdoms in conflict, with the Kingdom of God advancing against darkness, sin and evil that permeates the world.  This also explains why we need the power of the Holy Spirit as we battle the ruler of this world.  

But, from about 1500 that began to shift.  In response to the philosophers of the Renaissance, a Blueprint Theological Worldview began to emerge.  Calvin, who was trained as a lawyer, began to stress the "sovereignty of God" over everything.  He writes in his 'Institutes' about Divine Providence. His argument goes like this:  God created everything, therefore He owns everything, and He governs everything He owns.  This might be a good philosophical argument that seems logical, but its not necessarily what the Bible says.  (We will deal with the "Sovereignty of God" in a later chapter).

This Blueprint Worldview ends up trying to explain and defend evil and catastrophies as "God's plan".  The 1900s, often referred to as the 'Century of War' saw 500,000,000 people killed in war and ethnic cleansing.  From that to the killing of 26 (20 children) in Newtown, CT, we are hard pressed to defend what everyone know is terrible and evil as the plan of God.  

This shift, influenced by philosophy, also represented a shift toward a knowledge based, doctrinal approach to Christianity.  One is trained for 'ministry' by studying and comprehending doctrines, rather than being transformed by contact with the Master.  One can now be a "theologian" and not be saved, or even believe the Bible is God's word.  These things ought not to be.  

I would like you to see this in light of the bigger picture.  That picture is the "Battle for Truth".  We saw the importance of truth in scriptures like Jn. 18.37, 1Tim. 3.15, and Zech. 8.3 that let us know that part of why Jesus came was to bear witness to the truth, and that the church He established in the pillar and ground of truth in the world today.  But, there are also a number of other scriptures that warn us to watch out for deception.  2Cor. 11.13-15 says, "For such are false apostle, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostle of Christ.  And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness..."  We can understand then, the admonition in Eph. 6.11-12.  "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies."

There is a spiritual battle going on between God's truth and the deception of the enemy, and it has been through out history.  

In Daniel 10.10-21 we see two principalities actually named.  They stand against the purpose of God and His Kingdom.  They are called the Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece.  I don't think this refers to human beings, as they fought against and hindered the messenger of God, and are opposed to His Kingdom plans.  I think these represent two principalities that are part of the 'rulers of the darkness'.   What are they?  I think the Prince of Persia represent Religion and the Prince of Greece represents Philosophy.  I will explain why I think this.  When Daniel was written Israel was captive in Babylon.  This was for a period of 70 years, which scholars tell us, was from about 600 - 530 B.C.  In this time frame every major religion, except one, was established or written down.  While God's people were held captive, something was happening in the heavenlies.  Both Buddism and Confucianism we established at this time.  Hinduism and Shitoism, which were older, were codified in this time frame.  Islam is the one that came later, around 600 A.D., but is from a visit by an 'angel' in Persia.  Religion is a counterfeit that fights against the truth of the Kingdom, and is something that Jesus hated. In Jn. 8.44  Jesus, speaking to the religious pharisees, says, " You are of your father, the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

The Prince of Greece, which was to come after this period, represents Philosophy.  We have seen that the Renaissance was a return to pre-christian greek philosophy.  Col. 2.4,8 says, "Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words... Beware lest anyone cheat you (take you captive) through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."  This greek philosophy became the foundation to much of western culture. Our scientific worldview goes back to Aristotle.  The belief that man is master of his own destiny and is basically good, flies in the face of Biblical truth. This emphasis of philosophy eventually led to the philosophy of evolution, that removes God from the picture altogether.  I think that there is a demonic principality behind both Religion and Philosophy and are set against the truth of the Kingdom of God.

The conclusion is this; Religion led to a external, rules oriented "Christianity" that says man can better himself through self-effort, and Philosophy led to a knowledge based "Christianity" rather than the heart transformation that comes from a relationship based Christianity.  

A friend of mine was raised in a church, where you got 'saved' by going through a class of doctrines and beliefs, and, if you passed, you could then join the church, and you were 'saved'.  Theology has become more about doctrine and knowledge, that can be tested at Seminary, than about relationship with the King, and submission to His Lordship.  I hope you are getting a revelation of why we must fight for the truth and authority of the Word of God.  Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  There is an enemy that doesn't want people to be free, and whose weapons are deception, distortion, and counterfeit.  Jesus in the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Him.  

The Whole Plan of God pt 3

Living by Hearing God's Voice

Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International. 

Since the restoration of God's original plan was a progressive revelation, we see that the O.T. points toward the N. T.  For example, the sacrificial system points toward the cross and Jesus' sacrificial death for our sins.  The tabernacle points toward relationship and the presence of God.  We see the curtain in the temple between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where God's presence dwelt, torn in two from the top to the bottom.  God Himself tore it, accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, and making the way for us to come into His presence.  In the same way, possessing the land points toward the Kingdom.  Rom. 15.4 tells us that the things written before are for our benefit.  Jesus says in Matt. 5. 17-19, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."  In other words, the Old Testament still has much to teach us of God and His kingdom.  It was not a mistake that God made, that we should throw out.  We need a whole Bible theology; with that in mind turn with me to Deut. 8.1-3. "Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers.  And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.  So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord."  

This seems to say that God led the Israelites in the wilderness to "make them know" something that He considered incredibly important.  40 years to make them learn one thing really.  Man lives by hearing God's voice.  I think this points toward the Kingdom and lets us know that the Kingdom advances by hearing God's voice.  Not by human initiated good works.  Not by religious rules.  Not by planning and strategy, but by hearing God's voice.  Remember, partnership was His idea.  He has chosen to work with us, and through us.  This partnership was not man's idea.  God never intended us to do it on our own.  He always wanted us to walk with Him, to hear Him and work with Him.  He didn't expect us to have learned enough, or gained enough experience that we can do this kingdom thing on our own.  He always intended us to be dependent on Him.  

We see this same attitude in Jesus.  Jn. 5.19, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself (His own initiative), but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does the Son also does in like manner." 5.30, "I can of Myself do nothing..."  8.28, "...and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things."  12.49, "For I have not spoken on My own authority (initiative); but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command what I should say and what I should speak."  14.10, "The words that I speak to you I so not speak on My own authority (initiative)..."  Jesus didn't do what He did because He had a good plan, or because He studied well, but He walked in relationship with the Father.  He says of us, that "My sheep hear my voice..."

This seems to be such a key theme and emphasis of the Kingdom, yet is sadly lost in much of the church.  I grew up in a fundamental evangelical church, that taught that God has spoken in His word, the Bible.  If anyone said that they heard God's voice, we would look for the men in the white coats to come with strait jackets.  Yet, we would declare strongly that we were a "Bible believing" church.  In spite of believing the Bible, we had no place for the Holy Spirit, except as an academic doctrine of something experienced by the early church.  Don't talk of relationship; of hearing God's voice; of intimacy with the Living God.  Somehow much of the church has moved away from the relationship God intended to religious rules and self improvement.  How did we get there? How did the church go from relationship, epitomized by hearing God's voice, to a place of principles, doctrines and academia?  I am glad you asked.

From about 300 A.D. to about 1400 or 1500 A.D. the Catholic Church took on more and more authority in the culture, until the authority of the Pope and therefore the church became the strongest authority.  People who didn't toe the line were excommunicated and could not do business or even live.  This authority led to abuse (absolute power corrupts absolutely) even leading to the Inquisition.  The last few hundred years of this time period are call the Dark Ages.  About 1400 - 1500 we see a breaking away of this abusive authority.  In the north of Europe we have the Reformation; which was a returning to the authority of scripture.  This is epitomized by Martin Luther's stance when on trial.  "Show me from scripture... here I stand, I can do no other."  But, at the same time, in the south of Europe began what we now call the Renaissance.  Rather than a return to scripture this was a revival of classic philosophy.  The philosophy of Plato and Aristotle led to a scientific rationalism.  This wasn't an isolated thought here and there, but in a few years Neo-platonism permeated most of Europe.  In addition, the Moors captured North Africa and southern Spain, but their influence was very widespread.  They accept neo-platonism and made huge advances in math and science.  This philosophical worldview had such an influence that Thomas Aquinas attempts to make a rational appeal to Christianity, and begins, what latter came to be called Scholasticism.  Scholasticism was trying to reconcile Christian theology with philosophy, especially that of Aristotle and Neo-platonism. This trend has continued for 500 years.  While knowledge can be tested with an exam, relationship must bear fruit.  Colleges and Seminaries leaned more and more on teaching doctrines and theology, rather than producing disciples.  Christianity has come to be seen more as a system of doctrines and beliefs, than knowing Jesus and walking with Him.  This also brought about a major theological worldview shift.  That shift was from a Warfare Worldview to a Blueprint Worldview.  

The Whole Plan of God

Part 2 

Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International. 

With that foundation in mind, we are going to take a look at an overview of the 'Whole Plan of God', as He has revealed it, and Himself, in the Bible.  In other words, a 'Biblical Theology".

Starting at the beginning in Gen. 1. 26-28 we see two words that each appear 3 times in there two verses.  "Image" and "rule" both appear 3 times in these verses.  They give us an introduction to God's plan.  He made man in "His image" or likeness.  Being made in God's image gives us the capacity for relationship with Him.  In fact, we see this is one of the main themes of the Bible.  In Jn. 17.3 Jesus says, "This is eternal life that they know You, the only True God, and the Son whom you have sent."  Paul writes in Phil. 3.7, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."  In Deut. 5.4 it says, "The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire."  Knowing God is part of His plan.  He has made us to know Him and revealed Himself to us so we can know Him.  

But, we are not only made in His image but he also gave us authority or dominion over the creation.  He made us to rule.  Another way to say this is that God made us for relationship and rulership.  Why?  If we look at the end of the book we see in Rev. 19.7  "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."

One of the goals of creation is a bride for Christ.  Col. 1.16 tells us that "all things were made through Christ and for Christ."  So, then, God looking down the corridor of time, while He is making man, sees the goal of a bride for Jesus, and makes man with the capacity for relationship (love) and for rulership.  He is putting in place the characteristics that will eventually produce a loving bride for the King of the universe.  Amazing.

  But this original plan was changed with the introduction of sin.  The fall altered God's plan.  We see that both relationship with God and rulership over the planet were lost at the fall.  Gen 3.1-24 shows us this.  We need to recognize that both were lost.  Mankind is forced to fend for himself.  But also, we see that Satan is now referred to as the 'ruler of this world'.  In Jn. 12.31 Jesus refers to the devil as the ruler of this world.  When the devil offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms of this world in Matt. 4. 8-9, Jesus doesn't dispute his authority to make that offer.  We see in Eph. 6.12 that we are in a battle 'against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' 

The story of the Bible is the story of the restoration of God's original order and plan.  We see this as a progressive revelation by God of Himself and His plan, beginning with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament and continuing to every individual in the New Testament.  

In the Old Testament the Tabernacle represents the restoration of relationship; God dwelling with man and speaking to man again.  Ex. 40 shows us that when the tabernacle was completed as God had directed(this was not initiated by mankind) that His glory, presence , was manifested so that the priests were overwhelmed.  Just as the tabernacle represents the restoring of relationship, so the taking of the promised land is the restoring of rulership.  If it were only about relationship, then the Israelites didn't really need a land.  They had the presence of God as they travelled as nomads.  But God's plan was both relationship and rulership, so He led them to a land so they could begin to learn rulership again.  Deut. 8.1 says, "Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you man live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers."  Therefore, many of the commandments were not about earning God's favor or love, but about how to live in the land, and rule once again. 

This beginning of revelation is extended in the New Testament to every individual.  Under the New Covenant "they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest." (Jer. 31. 34).  Jesus says, "this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Jn. 17.3.  When we come to know Him and submit to His Lordship and Rulership, we also become part of His kingdom.  We are transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God.   And in that relationship with Him we begin to extend His kingdom rule once again on the planet.  This kingdom is in opposition to the 'ruler of this world'.  We are restoring God's original rule and plan for this planet.  There is no kingdom rulership with relationship with the King.  We can't do it on our own, but in partnership with Him.  

Let me make a side note here.  Relationship is all of grace; the unearned, unmerited favor of God offered to us in Jesus.  We don't earn it, and we surely don't deserve it.  While alot has been written about grace, and I won't spend time on it here; just suffice it to say, that when we really grasp the magnitude of God's grace, we find it not only amazing, but also humbling.  For us to be the objects of His love is beyond incredible.  But while relationship is all of grace, rulership (or the extending of His kingdom) is a partnership with Him.  The New Testament talks of being empowered by the Holy Spirit, about obedience and the importance of prayer.  These are all referring to partnering with the King, not in earning His favor or love.  Some, thinking we are only made for relationship, and that relationship is all of grace, have diminished or even thrown out much of what the New Testament says that expects an effort or response on our part.  Thinking that these portions of scripture are "law" and an effort to earn God's love, they have ignored or even removed them from focus.  Its not that they misunderstand grace, but that they have missed that we are made for both relationship and rulership, and that rulership is a partnership between us and God.  

Understanding that the Kingdom of God is in opposition to the kingdom of this world is vital to grasp a truly Biblical view of God's plan.  1Jn. 5.19 says, "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one."  This overview is important to give us a foundation in order to look at more specific issues and 'doctrines'.  Understanding these kingdoms in conflict, will also help us to better comprehend the progress of history and its affect on the church and theology.  

Next Week: Part 3, Living by Hearing God's Voice

The Whole Plan of God - Pt 1

Church Planting Now

The Whole Plan of God

(An overview of Biblical Theology)

Part 1 

Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International. 

This is from a class on theology we did at Redemption City Church.  How much of our understanding of God and theology is really Biblical?  

Introduction

     The Bible clearly shows us that in the latter days (the time we are living in) having a true understanding of the Bible and the whole plan of God will be critical.  We need a truly Biblical theology.  

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." 1Tim. 4.1

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth..." 2 Tim. 4.3

" But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  2Cor. 11.3

"But there were also false prophets among the  people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord..." 2 Pet. 2.1

     If this were not enough to put us on our guard, we are also told the importance of truth.  

"For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." Jn. 18.37

"...but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1Tim. 3.15

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2Tim. 2.15

     The term "theology", means the study of God, and was first coined by Plato, a philosopher.  Nowhere does the Bible tell us to study God, but to know Him.

I think, as we endeavor to develop a "Biblical Theology" we need to be careful of philosophy.  Something might be logical, and make sense, but that doesn't mean it is Biblical.  "When we move away from the authority of the scripture we don't get a liberal Christianity; we get a whole new religion"  In addition to watching out for philosophy, we must also watch out for presuppositions.  Too often we start with ideas, presuppositions, and then go to the Bible to find proof for our ideas.  We want to start and end with the Bible; nothing more and nothing less.

For a doctrine or belief to be "Biblical" it must:

1. Be accurate in interpretation

2Tim. 3.16 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...".  The words 'inspiration of God', literally means "God breathed".  This means that this was God's idea: it was initiated by Him, not by man.  He revealed Himself and His plan.  

Every word that God breathed has authority.  But, that means every word in the original, not in a paraphrase.  I think this authority is under attack today.  A paraphrase, like the Message, can make the ideas of the Bible easier to read, but it is not the God breathed authority of scripture;  its a man's paraphrase.  Many modern translations use "dynamic equivalence" in translating the Bible.  This means they translate ideas, or the thought of the passage into English.  This concept can put 'readability' above 'accuracy'.  I am not saying they don't have a place or purpose, but be careful you don't put too much weight on a word that God never said in the first place.  For example, I heard a guy once argue about whether a Christian still has a 'sinful nature'.   

'Sinful nature' is now the NIV translates the greek word sarx.  That word has more commonly been translated 'flesh'.  Its a totally different question if you are asking "Does a Christian still have a sinful nature?"  Or is you are asking, "Does a Christian still have flesh?".  

  Thirdly, for a belief or doctrine to be accurate in interpretation, it must include all the Bible says on the subject.  Building a doctrine on one scripture in not "Biblical".  We can't pick and choose.  We can use one scripture and ignore others that refer to the same subject, and still claim to be Biblical.  

2. Be accurate in context with other truth.

Acts 20.26-27 says, "Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole plan (counsel) of God."  To be innocent we must declare the whole plan of God.  We can't isolate a truth, or make a single truth the lens through which we look at the whole Bible.  It seems from the above passage that there is a pressure to not declare the whole plan of God.  Its easier, and pleases people, if we only focus on one truth.  "When a truth becomes the truth, it quickly leads to untruth."

3. Be accurate in emphasis.

What emphasis does the Bible put on this belief?  And therefore, what emphasis does God put on this doctrine or belief?  In Matt. 22. 35-39, a lawyer asks Jesus, "which is the greatest commandment in the law?"  The background is that the Pharisees had identified 669 commandments, and they ordered them by, what they thought, was their importance.  So, the question was about what Jesus considered overriding doctrine or importance.  This would let them know what category in which to place Jesus.  Sound familiar?  Do you believe in the Sovereignty of God or the Free will of Man?  A.W. Pink once said,

"The doctrine of the Sovereignty of God is the sun around which the universe of all other doctrines revolve."  But, does the Bible say this, either directly or by emphasis?  Jesus, in answering the lawyer, picked to commandments, neither of which are in the top 10.  Deut. 6.5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  The second, Lev. 19.18, is the second half of a verse in a chapter of over 40 commands.  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  Why these?  It seems to me He is emphasizing relationship.  Its seems to me that one of the most important beliefs that Jesus emphasized is that God is Relational.  "Our Father..."

Therefore, for a doctrine or belief to really be "Biblical" in it must be accurate in interpretation; only what is 'God breathed' is authoritative.  It must be accurate in context with other truth; we want the whole plan of God.  And, it must be accurate in emphasis; what weight does God place on it.

Hope you found this helpful I will post Part Two from Russ next week. 

The Value of Team

Terry and Sandy Kreuger with three of their children relocated to Denver, CO in June of 2010 where they serve on the NCMI Trans-local team as well as the Church Planting / Leadership Team of Redemption City Church.

Just a quick blog post on the value of team. Having church planted and been involved with many other church plants I am more convincend than ever that some right thinking about team will help us and acclerate us, while wrong thinking on the matter will slow and impede us. 

It fascinates me that after some of the high profile disasters of the past in the greater church that there are still some who question the value of ministering in team! There are unfortunately also those who even though they may have a verbal commitment to team they live outside of the team reality. As Dudley Daniel was fond of saying “There is a difference between having a team and being a team” His thought, by my interpretation is simply that there are those who in spite of their verbal and physical appearance of team in actuality stand outside of that team with little or no input from the team as well as little or no real accountability. 

Team in our context is simply two or more people whom God has put together to walk in unity and mutual accountability to achieve a task. 

I believe this to be true of all teams, secular or spiritual. I tell the boys on the rugby team that I coach. “You guys are only accountable to yourselves - if you can walk off the pitch able to look each other in the eye say ‘I gave my best’ thats all we can ask of you” 

Unfortunately many leaders in our day prefer the ‘Lone Ranger’ model even though he had Silver and Tonto so even there we could make an argument for team. 

I am fully convinced that God never intended for one man to carry the load of ministry by himself and that is why we have seen so many leaders overcome physically, morally, emotionally and spiritually. God has ordained ministry to be a team effort. 

Lets look at some Scriptures ... 

Let us make man ... Gen 1 

“us” ... God the Father 

God the Son 

God the Holy Spirit 

Jesus had the 12 apostles 

Peter and John - Acts 

Phillip, Peter and John - Acts 8 

Paul and Barnabus - Acts 13+14 

Paul Silas and Timothy - Acts 16 1 Thess 

There are many more examples i.e. Mosses and the seventy .. Davids Mighty Men but for the sake of time and space lets leave it there 

The first and most important aspect here is that we are in ‘team’ with Christ himself 

Mark 16:20 ... Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Team ministry of and active, ongoing demonstration of body ministry 

1 Cor 12 

Team can more accurately find the heart of God and present truth than a single voice

Matthew 18:19 ... “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

As the church grows leaders can become “unquestionable” subtly sending a message that what they say goes. Even though the team may have in-put and debate, at the end of the day the team does what the leader says EVERY TIME! It is a short step from ‘unquestionable’ to ‘untouchable’. Once we get here then we have a team rather than we are being a team!

Team is more effective. 

Eccl 4:9-12 ... Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Team is a protection for those in team as well as those the team is ministering to. 

Prov 11:14 ... For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers.

Lets remind ourselves that team is Gods intended plan for ministry. Rather then ridiculing it or spending time trying to find our way around it lets embrace it - see God bless it - live in the benefit of it and complete the task he has assigned us! 

NCMI National Elders

Hey Guys and Gals 

I trust this finds you all well. 

This is just a quick reminder about our National Elders gathering in Denver in Sept! 

We have strategically chosen to make this “all elders” rather than “Lead” elders as we have in the past. It promises to be a great time of strategic in-put as well as an opportunity for new and current relationships. 

Registration is FREE ... but please go ahead and register if you are coming as it will help us with the logistics of the event. 

Hosting is available on a limited and first come first served basis. 

We look forward to seeing you and your team. 

Here is the link ... NCMI National Elders

Yours in His grip. 

Terry Kreuger